Bromhexine: a comprehensive review

Abstract

Natural molecules have been a boon in the field of medical science and therapeutics. With the progress of latest technology and advancement in synthetic chemistry and computational biology, it has now become possible to precisely decide the best possible fit inhibitor molecule for the pathologically important target molecules in the human body. In recent history, many naturally occurring molecules have been derivatized to improve the inhibitory potential. Bromhexine is one such molecule that has been derivatized from the naturally occurring molecule vasicine. Vasicine is obtained from Adhatoda vasica, a very well known herb for respiratory and other inflammatory diseases. The present review describes the importance and uses of bromhexine in the area of therapeutics with a light on its mechanism of action and its use in several diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.